Good rain jackets to buy? My current rain jacket and almost every other one I have bought seems to be a rain jacket for about a hour or 2 then it turns into a wet jacket. Any...

FS Digest

My current rain jacket and almost every other one I have bought seems to be a rain jacket for about a hour or 2 then it turns into a wet jacket. Any recommendations for rain jackets that will stay dry even after being in bad weather for a while? Bonus points for a jacket/pants combo.

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by soombodi

Rdnkjp Loc: Hardy, Va

I use Frogg Toggs at work. They are fairly inexpensive and work well.

rapala54 Loc: Nappanee,IN.

100 mph bass pro

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

I’ve been using 2 sets.
Cabelas guide wear for normal use
And cabelas guidewear extreme for when it’s cold and miserable.
The extremes are kinda pricy but do a nice job keeping me nice and dry
The regular guide wear is nice for warmer weather.

tannin Loc: Western OR

Grundens
All there is to say. I worked in construction in the PNW I always stayed dry.
Every fishing guide salt or fresh water in Alaska. Grundens

JB134 Loc: Montana

Grudens, 100 mph bass pro, and Frogg Toggs will all keep you dry. Grudens are most durable… the bass pro 100 mph most expensive… and frogg toggs most reasonably price. I’ve had all three. The grudens had the least amount of ventilation and I would sweat, even in cold temps. The bass pro 100 mph is going to not only keep you bone dry, but wind does not matter. But there bulky and I always felt like my movement was being restricted. The Frogg Toggs are the most comfortable and much lighter weight than the others. Not the warmest so if you go that route make sure to leave room for more clothes. Just my 2 cents

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

Gore-tex is what our troops use to keep dry. Several brands incorporate that material.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

tannin wrote:

Grundens
All there is to say. I worked in construction in the PNW I always stayed dry.
Every fishing guide salt or fresh water in Alaska. Grundens

Grundies are also the choice of commercial fishermen. That being said, they are pretty heavy for warm weather.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Many times it is not the jacket, but the hat that is causing the problem. No warm weather jacket made will keep the water from running down your neck and getting the whole inside wet. Be sure to wear a waterproof wide brim hat with the jacket. A baseball hat does not cut it. The other common problem is body heat getting the jacket wet from the inside. In warm weather use breathable rain gear. Unfortunately quality breathable stuff is very expensive and needs be washed when used in salt spray.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Gründens come in "Winter Weight" or "Summer Weight"... I've owned 3 sets of them, over the years... They hold up well, they have 0% pockets, so, you've gotta consider THAT; if you want to be putting things in your "Oiler" pockets... There AREN'T any.
Yes, the Gründens are EXTREMELY widely used, by commercial fishermen of "all stripes"... Helley-Hanson makes commercial quality rain gear, as well. Again... No pockets!
The reason I've had to invest in 3 sets, rather than just 2 (and NOW am in the market for a suit of oilers) is not due to low quality of material or poor workmanship... It's a kind of a long story. My one "Summer Top" had gotten one sleeve torn by mackerel teeth, several years ago, but; they also "patch up fine"... Yeah, a long story...

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

bapabear wrote:

Many times it is not the jacket, but the hat that ... (show quote)

The Gründens & the Helley-Hanson BOTH come with hoods.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Able Man wrote:

The Gründens & the Helley-Hanson BOTH come with hoods.

A hood is only effective if the rain is coming strait down. Even then, the water seems to find it's way down to your chest and wicks out to the rest of your clothing. As I mentioned, The Grundens are to heavy for temperatures over 65 degrees. As for Alaska, I am in full agreement with Grundens, just as Extra Tuffs are Alaskan casual shoes and hip waders usually outperform hiking boots on the tundra.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

bapabear wrote:

A hood is only effective if the rain is coming strait down. Even then, the water seems to find it's way down to your chest and wicks out to the rest of your clothing. As I mentioned, The Grundens are to heavy for temperatures over 65 degrees. As for Alaska, I am in full agreement with Grundens, just as Extra Tuffs are Alaskan casual shoes and hip waders usually outperform hiking boots on the tundra.

Not wanting to get into a pissing contest with anyone about it... Gründens do, however, come in a "Summer Style" (or "Version")... It was my summer coat, that "ran into" those mackerel teeth, years ago. (A much lighter weight material, than the "Winter Style"... I've used both, off of South Florida on a year-round basis... Yes, they can SURE warm up, fishing off South Texas & Louisiana. Those Gründens I have owned, never gave me a problem about rain getting inside due to "unfolding" the hood = it creates a kind of a short "bill". I always DID like the looks of the old "Nor'Easter hats" (I guess you West-Coasters call'em: "Sou-Westers")... That hat, (minus a hood altogether, for that matter) would PROBABLY be a good thing for a man to own.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

No arguments. I have never seen a summer Grundens. I did not know they made them. I have always bought mine from Alaskan and Northern Washington stores that cater to the Alaskan market.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

bapabear wrote:

No arguments. I have never seen a summer Grundens. I did not know they made them. I have always bought mine from Alaskan and Northern Washington stores that cater to the Alaskan market.

I gotchya, I bought that set of Summer Gründens outta Stewart, Florida; I think it was (I, MYSELF, didn't actually leave Ft. Pierce, they were delivered). I just did a "Web-search" on the "Sou-Wester Hat" and see that it'd "set a man back" about $60; but, almost CERTAINLY worth it, I would guess. (The ones by Gründens, at least.)